Seniors Workshop report in Wellbeing Newsletter

1. Autumn 2012
Wellbeing
Message from Derek
Welcome to the autumn edition to assisting senior Australians to However, we don’t believe the
of Wellbeing, Australian Unity age in place, we are pleased that Government’s announcement
Retirement Living’s newsletter. the Government has committed to goes far enough to support older
April 2012 marked a significant increase home care packages, in Australians, so together with the
milestone for aged care reform with time providing seniors with more Retirement Village association and
the announcement of the Federal flexibility in choosing the setting leading Age Services Australia, we
Government’s ‘Living Longer they wish to age in. For current and will be advocating for continuing
Living Better’ package. future residents of Australian Unity reform into the future.
Retirement Living communities, I hope you enjoy reading our
With Australian Unity Retirement this reform should translate to
Living‘s strong reputation as autumn newsletter and I look
improved access to services within forward to keeping you updated
an integrated service provider, our retirement communities.
combined with our commitment with all the latest news from Derek McMillan
our villages. Chief Executive – Retirement Living
Latest news
Australian Unity Built in 1888 by Archibald Cook,
Welcomes Morven Manor one of Mornington’s pioneers,
‘Morven’ was a gift for his son
Retirement Village
William Sym on his marriage to
Australian Unity is pleased to Ella Louise Allchin. Enthusiastic
announce the acquisition of gardeners, the young couple
another village to its growing converted their five acre block into
portfolio – Morven Manor parkland famous for its collection
Retirement Village. Situated in of Australian shrubs and plants,
Mornington and ideally positioned including the stately Norfolk Pines
close to Main Street and the beach, that were used as a navigating aid
Morven Manor is now Australian in Port Phillip Bay for 100 years
Unity’s second village in the and are still a prominent landmark
Mornington area. today.
Morven Manor comprises 86 In 1951, ‘Morven’ was purchased
independent living units and a by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence
wide range of community and as a holiday home for elderly
people needing a sea change. and renamed it ‘Morven Manor’. We would like to welcome the
recreational facilities for residents
Changing hands again in 1970, In 1980, Morven Manor was residents of Morven Manor to
including a library, medical
Mr and Mrs Thomas Telford purchased by Mr and Mrs Colin Australian Unity.
consulting suite, hairdressing
purchased and restored the house Johnston to establish one of the
salon, theatre and billiards room.
as a luxurious reception centre first retirement villages in Victoria.
Features
Art-in-therapy Seniors' Recipe: Gardener’s
technology Zucchini corner
workshops slice
Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 1

2. Latest news – continued
The creation of The art therapy sessions have her role in facilitating holistic care
art-in-therapy provided a number of positive for residents.
outcomes for residents. “I provide aged care and
Imagine the frustration of not
being able to express yourself due “They have also developed rehabilitation expertise to help
to a medical condition. Beverly increased confidence and pride in residents adapt to their changing
Smith at Wahroonga Aged Care their achievements and become abilities so they can still do things
was determined to defy the odds, more social with fellow residents,” they like. My role also involves
and use innovation to initiate a she says. creating care plans for each
program that enables residents The sessions are different every resident, continually assessing
to use creativity to express time and residents have thrived in their health and wellbeing, as well
Masks created during art-in-therapy sessions
themselves and engage in the day creating various pieces of art work as liaising with their respective
with successful results. disease. His medical condition such as face masks, mosaics, bark families,” she says.
Beverly, a clinical care manager, limits him from being able to paintings and face collages.
speak and show any emotion.
NBN connected at
saw an opportunity to make a “Such activities allow residents to Peninsula Grange
difference to the lives of residents Vicky has been teaching him to
use the creative part of their mind Peninsula Grange in Mornington,
who are isolated by dementia or use eye contact and respond to
which enriches their experience. It Victoria is the first Retirement
cognitive difficulties. She then hand signals to communicate. This
gives them a feeling of wellbeing Village in Australia and the first
completed a successful grant has enabled him to use these new
and independence, as well as an greenfield site in Victoria to be
application and received funding skills, to gradually interact with
opportunity to make something to connected to NBN. Residents
from the Greater Monash GP the others in the group and also
share with their family members of Peninsula Grange are now
Network. with other staff.
when they visit,” says Beverly. utilising the network and
With the funding in hand, she “He was inclined to disconnect
Residents noticeably enjoy the experiencing the benefits of faster
commissioned Vicky Kingston, himself from people, but since the
art group as they are able to use broadband connection.
a professional counsellor and art therapy sessions he has become
their imagination and creativity,
pastoral carer, to come once a more engaged. For instance, one of
as well as experience Vicky’s
week for art-in-therapy sessions to my colleagues was mimicking the
enthusiastic style of counselling,
enhance residents’ wellbeing. actions of a cricket bowler during
which promotes fun, laughter
a test series, the resident, who is
“Since Vicky commenced running and mutual respect. “Her energy
a huge cricket fan, responded by
art therapy sessions it has made a is contagious – Vicky really
letting go of his walking frame
significant impact not just on the fits in with Australian Unity’s
and pretended to hit the invisible
behaviours and isolation of those wellbeing philosophy. She is very National Broadband Network
ball. We (staff) were all so happy
residents but their involvement in compassionate as well as practical
to see him interact with us.
everyday life. and brings out the best in people.”
His family, who regularly visit
“An example of the benefits of him, have also noticed a great Beverly is pleased to see the
art therapy is with one of our improvement in his mood since art success of the art therapy program
residents who has Parkinson’s therapy,” explains Beverly. because it is an important part of
Crossword puzzle
Across Down
1. Madman 1. Milestone
4. Tough trousers 2. Branched horn
7. Flight attendant 3. Rugged peak
8. Country bumpkin 4. Singer/actress, Garland
9. Me 5. Rouses
12. Unwarranted 6. Earth
15. Reflex response, reaction 10. Noxious vapours
17. Via the mouth 11. Flat-bodied lizard
18. World-weary 13. Without import tax (4-4)
21. Passed (law) 14. Provoked
22. Greater in years 16. Vocation
23. Camp lavatory 18. Type of unarmed combat
19. Stag or doe
20. Letters
The answers to this crossword are available at
www.australianunityrl.com.au
page 2 Wellbeing – Autumn 2012

3. Events – Seniors’ technology workshops
As technology changes at a rapid This is the fourth year the popular
pace, it can be a challenge to keep workshops have been held and the
up with new products and learn benefits for locals are clear. “I’ve
the language. So when we invited come every year and they are just
local seniors to attend the annual so useful,” one lady said. “These
seniors technology workshops at workshops help me to connect
Willandra Village, the response with my kids and grandkids. I
was strong. can follow the conversation at the
Over 350 enthusiastic seniors dinner table now!”
attended the popular workshops For those of us who are cautious
held as part of National Seniors about trying to master new
Week and proved that they don’t technology without guidance,
want to be left behind in the professional photographer, Pepper
technology revolution. Through Ingham, who led the sessions
three informative workshops over has some sound advice. “Don’t
three days, participants learnt be afraid to have a play with the
the basics of how to use a mobile settings in your mobile or digital
phone, take professional images camera – you won’t break it. And
with a digital camera and how to the beauty of digital cameras, or
connect with family and friends even taking a picture on your
using social media. phone’s camera, is that you can
Denise Tomlinson welcomed over 350 attendees across three days at the Seniors’
At the end of the sessions, technology workshops always delete a bad image and take
participants teamed up with tech- another.”
savvy helpers who were on hand
to answer specific questions and
finding friends on Facebook and Skype to make phone calls with “ ’ve come every year and
I
uploading pictures to the computer a webcam, demonstrated with they are just so useful”
teach users how to use their phone
to sell items on eBay. a live Skype call from presenter
or camera. Questions ranged
The highlight of the social media Brad Keeling to his daughter in the
from how to type a text message
workshop was learning how to use USA.
and store contacts in a phone, to
Fine dining at Lifestyle Manor Bondi Construction update
Sienna Grange for completion in July 2012.
Services rough in and internal
Construction of Stage 3A consisting
plasterboard are 90 percent
of five units has commenced with
complete and landscape works
an anticipated completion date of
have commenced. The community
June 2012. New roads to allow for
centre will incorporate a games
a further 22 units have just been
room, multi-purpose rooms,
completed.
library, gymnasium and casual
dining room facilities with
associated bar and kitchen.
“The ambience, Victoria Grange
the food and
Stage 5 consisting of 18 terrace
the friendship” homes is close to completion
and a brand new display is now
Lifestyle Manor Bondi residents and their guests dined on twice roasted duck
with sour cherries completed and available to view.
Construction of the Community
Pam Petherbridge, resident at trout with lime mayonnaise and Sienna Grange construction
Centre superstructure is complete
Lifestyle Manor Bondi, reported dill butter sauce; and spinach and on track for a late 2012
with great excitement of the first and ricotta crepe with sundried Peninsula Grange opening.
fine dining evening at Lifestyle tomatoes and pine nuts, all with a
Construction of Stage 2 comprising
Manor Bondi saying that “the further accompaniment of Greek
of 16 units is well underway, with
ambience, the food and the salad or roasted vegetables and red
brickwork and plaster completed
friendship all were to the fore.” or white wine. For dessert there
for all units, internal finishes
Pam arranged dinner for 44 was strawberry mousse and apple
40 percent complete and
guests with catering by Di crumble with cream. The evening
landscaping has commenced.
and Peter Torok from Bassetts drew to a close with tea, coffee and
These units are expected to be
Catering, which she describes as chocolates served, marking the end
completed in May 2012 and this
“sensational.” For main course, of an enjoyable event.
will make a total of 35 villas
residents and guests dined on a We look forward to reporting on complete at Peninsula Grange.
choice of twice roasted duck with future dining events at Lifestyle
Construction of the brand new
sour cherries; marinated ocean Manor Bondi.
Community Centre is on program Victoria Grange construction
Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 3

4. Recipe: Zucchini slice Gardener’s corner
Rita Pasquale of Greglea Village
in Penshurst, New South Wales,
shares her recipe for zucchini slice.
Ingredients:
4 large zucchini
1 large onion
4 lean rashers of bacon
¾ cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup self raising flour
¾ cup oil Add salt and pepper to taste. Autumn is an ideal time for Now is also a good time to make
6 eggs Pour into well-greased pan. Bake garden maintenance and new plants from cuttings of shrubs
Salt and pepper optional in moderate oven for 30 to 40 improvement such as pruning or natives such as banksias and
minutes. back roses, planting your spring grevillea. Remove the lower leaves
Method:
flowering bulbs and annuals, and pot into small containers of
Grate peeled zucchini, chop the If you would like to share your improving soil condition or good quality potting mix. After
onion and bacon. favourite recipe and see it mulching garden beds. It’s also a approximately three months your
featured in Wellbeing, please email great time to plant vegetables that plants should be fit enough to be
Combine zucchini, onion, bacon
villagenews@australianunity.com.au will grow throughout winter such replanted into your garden bed.
and cheese, flour, oil and eggs.
as beetroot, capsicum, carrot and
cauliflower.
Getting to know you
In each edition of Wellbeing we ask an Australian Unity resident
questions that reveal a glimpse of their life.
My name is Barry McOrist. What music always makes you
I live at Victoria Grange, happy?
Vermont South, Victoria. Good choirs singing Methodist
hymns.
What is the best thing about
village life? Favourite pastimes?
Our beautiful, well designed Golf, painting and reading poetry
spacious home, happy and to residents in aged care.
friendly residents and the If you could invite three people to
security. dinner who would they be?
Where did you grow up? Billy Connelly, Geoffrey Archer
Cudgewa then Heidelberg. and John Howard.
What is your happiest childhood What was your first job?
memory? I started work at Tourism Victoria
Singsongs around the piano with and was there for 37 years.
family, relatives and friends.
What was your favourite radio show
growing up?
“Yes What”.
Barry McOrist, resident at Victoria Grange Retirement Village
Share your news
Is there news from your village that is not featured in the newsletter? Make sure you let us know what’s happening by emailing
villagenews@australianunity.com.au or post a letter to Retirement Living Wellbeing, Level 5, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205
About Australian Unity In the financial year ending 30 June It has grown organically by
2011, Australian Unity’s revenues continually evolving and
Australian Unity is a national
were in excess of $1 billion. providing the services and
healthcare, financial services and
The company employs around products needed by the
retirement living organisation,
1,400 staff nationally. communities it serves, as well
providing services to more
as through successful strategic
than 560,000 Australians, Australian Unity’s history as a mergers and diversification into
including some 300,000 members trusted mutual organisation dates new business activities.
nationwide. Over ten thousand of back 170 years.
Australian Unity Building, Melbourne our members have been with us
for more than 50 years!
Some images used in this newsletter are computer generated images. Actual units and villages may vary from the images shown in this newsletter. Prices correct at time of printing and are subject to change.
Australian Unity obtained the prior written consent of residents regarding the publication of their written testimonials, stories and/or photographs in this newsletter. Australian Unity Retirement Living Services Limited
ACN 085 317 595 Level 14, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205.
Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 4

5. Properties for sale – www.australianunityrl.com.au/properties
Victoria
395,000
From $
398,000
$ $
285,000 From $
485,00-595,000
Peninsula Grange The Oaks Geelong Grove Victoria Grange
431 Racecourse Road, Mornington 23/110 Hull Road, Croydon 22/50 Barwarre Road, Grovedale 502-514 Burwood Highway,
Brand new homes featuring Contemporary two bedroom villa Bright and spacious two bedroom Vermont South
generous dining and living areas, with bright, spacious living areas unit with low maintenance Just released – two bedroom
built-in robes, modern appliances and paved courtyards. backyard. apartments which will offer
and private outdoor areas. Phone 03 9802 1647 Phone 03 5244 0822 light and spacious interiors and
Phone 03 5975 5267 include large balconies and secure
basement car parking.
Phone 03 9802 1647
New South Wales
SO
LD
460,000
$
150,000
$
85,000-200,000
$ $
130,000
Constitution Hill Elderslee Greglea Karagi Court
24/1 Centenary Avenue, 71/15 Bias Avenue, Bateau Bay 6/192 Penshurst Street, Penshurst 41/1 Yakalla Street, Bateau Bay
Northmead Recently renovated one bedroom Serviced apartments now Refurbished one bedroom unit
Ground floor two bedroom unit unit peacefully positioned available. Designed for easy living peacefully positioned at the rear
with north facing outlook and towards the rear of the village including a kitchenette, living area, of the village. Large glass sliding
positioned close to the entrance and surrounded by landscaped bedroom and ensuite bathroom. doors open up the living area to
of the village and the community gardens. Phone 02 9579 6444 the balcony with views over the
centre. open lawn and mature trees.
Phone 02 4332 6950
Phone 02 8868 9090 Phone 02 4332 6950
166,000
$ From $
895,000 $
465,000 From $
340,000
Kiah Lodge Lifestyle Manor Bondi Mt Eymard Sienna Grange
28/15 Anne Findlay Place, 24-32 Flood Street, Bondi 16/502 Moss Vale Road, Bowral 506 Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie
Bateau Bay Located in the heart of Sydney's Fully refurbished two bedroom, Brand new homes featuring
North facing ground floor one prestigious eastern suburbs and two bathroom cottage featuring generous dining and living areas,
bedroom unit securely positioned only moments from vibrant Bondi light-filled open plan living areas built-in robes, modern appliances
and thoughtfully designed for Junction, brand new two and and a modern kitchen. and private outdoor areas.
convenient living. Features a large three bedroom apartments are Phone 02 4862 2977 Phone 02 6581 1322
north facing, covered patio area. available now.
Phone 02 4332 6950 Phone 02 9389 2777
From $
95,000 $
420,000 $
735,000
The Governors Willandra Village Willandra Bungalows
Retirement Resort 22/81 Willandra Road, Cromer 34/51 Little Willandra Road,
166 River Park Road, Spacious two bedroom unit newly Cromer
Port Macquarie renovated throughout and offering Ground floor two bedroom home
Serviced apartments now a functional design with the benefit in a unique position next to a
available. Designed for easy of a fenced courtyard that is ideal lovely lawn and garden area and
living including a kitchenette, for a small pet. includes a large, private courtyard
living area, separate bedroom Phone 02 9971 8035 and garage.
and ensuite bathroom. Phone 02 9971 8035
Phone 02 6581 1322
Wellbeing – Autumn 2012